A cloud of grief hangs heavy over Naledi in Soweto, following the tragic deaths of five children who succumbed after allegedly consuming poisoned snacks.
Residents are grappling with the devastating loss, while the surviving child, a seven-year-old boy, clings to life in hospital, offering a glimmer of hope for answers in this heartbreaking mystery.
The five children, identified as Zinhle Masilela, Njabulo Msimango, Isago Mabote, Monica Sathege, and Karabo Rampou, all reportedly fell ill after consuming snacks purchased from a local spaza shop. The children, aged between six and nine, were playing together when they ate the snacks before returning to their respective homes.
One by one, they began to exhibit similar symptoms: stomach pains, headaches, and drowsiness. Some were even given food later, as they complained of hunger.
The families of the deceased children are united in their desperate search for answers, their hopes pinned on the survival of the seven-year-old boy who remains hospitalised in intensive care since Sunday.
Dumisani Masilela, Zinhle’s father, poignantly expressed the collective sentiment: “I hope that [the boy in hospital] pushes through and we can be able to get the answers to our questions. What did they eat? Where did they buy it from because at this point, the children left us with more questions than answers.”
Otlotleng Msimango, whose son Njabulo perished, echoed the desperate plea for answers, stating: "They were all together and [the boy in hospital] is the only one who can tell us what really happened."
The shared experience of the children, and the fact that the surviving boy is the only one who can potentially shed light on the events, underscores the urgency of his recovery.
The families reported that all the children exhibited similar symptoms before their deaths. They all vomited a yellow-brown substance and foamed at the mouth. Medical professionals who treated the children at various healthcare facilities suspected rat poison as the cause of their illness.
Msimango confirmed this, stating: "The doctor said the symptoms the children had all pointed to rat poisoning."
The spaza shop where the snacks were allegedly purchased was closed on Monday, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation. The closure raises questions about the shop owner's role and the possibility of evidence being tampered with. The police have opened an inquest docket, but the circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear.
Gauteng police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi stated: "The police have opened an inquest docket after five kids aged between six and nine years old were declared dead at the local [Naledi] clinic on October 6 2024. The circumstances that led to their deaths are unknown at this stage pending police investigations."
The accounts from the families paint a harrowing picture of the children’s final moments.
Masilela described Zinhle's deteriorating condition: “The mother made her some food and she ate a bit. Shortly thereafter, she started vomiting the small pieces of food her mother fed her. The vomit was rice and it was brown. We kept asking her to tell us what she had eaten but she was in so much pain and could not speak…Her face started turning purple, her eyes were fading and I just knew we were losing her.”
Tiny Sathege, Monica's father, recounted a similar scene: “I told her to eat something and I left her in the front of the house while I went to go make food. I guess she must have gone inside at some point because one of the twins who were sitting watching TV came running out and telling me that Monica was vomiting…
"I tried to call the ambulance but they said it would only come after 45 minutes and by then Monica was not responding…We eventually got an Uber to take Monica to the clinic and the doctors tried to keep her alive but it was already too late.”
Agnes Mabote, Isago’s grandmother, described the frantic moments leading up to his death: “The door then flew open and Isago came in. I asked him why he banged the door like that but he didn’t answer and instead told me that he was hungry and tired…He kept saying, 'Mama I am going to die'.…He said he had eaten snacks.”
Mpho Rampou, Karabo’s aunt, similarly recounted finding Karabo unresponsive and the desperate attempts to save him at the clinic.
The aunt of the hospitalised boy spoke of the family’s anguish and their hopes for his recovery: "It's very painful what happened. His mother has not left his side since he was admitted. We're hoping he recovers soon."
This statement highlights the immense emotional toll this tragedy has taken on the community and the families involved.
The incident has chilling parallels to a similar tragedy that occurred exactly a year ago, just two streets away, involving children who consumed biscuits from a local spaza shop. This recurring pattern raises serious questions about food safety regulations and oversight in the area.
The investigation into the deaths of these five children is ongoing, and the community awaits answers with a heavy heart. The focus now is on supporting the families and ensuring that justice is served.
